Invalid bed



I Jan. 30, 1940. J. G. CUNNINGHAM INVALID BED Filed Dec. 21, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 attorney 30,1940. J. G. CUNNINGHAM ,59

INVALID BED 1936 2 Sheets-sheet '2 Filed Dec 21 (Ittomeg Patented Jan. 30, 1940 INVALID BED:

John G. Cunningham, Spokane, Wash; R. Hosken Damon and The Old National Bank & Union Trust 00., executors of. John. G. Ounningham, deceased Application December 21,1936, Serial No. 116,939

In carrying out my invention I provide this type of bed with improved features involving rigid or non-flexible, as well as flexible, cross slats, with adjustable mountings on the rotatable frame or section, in order that different postures of the body of the; patient may conveniently be assumed and retained, when, required, andunder varying conditions; and when,. in particular, surgery is to be applied to the spinal. column ofthe patient. The invention also contemplates other. improved features by means of which the functions, of this type of bed are performed, all. as will hereinafter be more fully pointed out and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention wherein the parts are combined and arranged according to one mode I have thus far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention, but it will be understood that changes and alterations may be made in these exemplifying structures, within the scope of my claims, without departing from the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of a bed equipped with the improvements of my invention.

Figure 2 is a end elevation at the head of the bed, showing by dotted lines the movement of the pivoted frame, and also the use of the cross slats of the frame.

Figure 3 is a sectional detail view at line 3-3 of Figure 2 showing the operating means for the rotatable frame or invalid turner.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view at line 4-4 of Figure 1 showing the pinned pivot-bearingat the foot of the bed.

Figure 5 is a plan view of part of the rotatable frame with its flexible cross-slats.

Figure 6 is a detail view showing the mounting cr mount for one end of an anchoring arch-bar, two of which arch-bars are employed on the frame to anchor opposite ends of cross slats.

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view at line 1-1 of Figure Gshowing the adjustable mount for one end; of. an. anchoring. arch-bar.

Figure 8 is a sectional view at line 8-8 of Fig ure 5 showing an under-slung flexible cross-slat. Figure 9 is a sectional view of the frame showing an overhung flexible cross slat anchoredat its opposite ends to a pair of arch bars. Figure 10'is a sectional view of theframe showing the use of an over-hung non-flexible or rigid cross-slat anchored at itsendsto a pair of arch bars.

In. the. preferred form of my invention I have utilizeda tubular metal bedstead comprising the head frame. l. and, foot-frame 2 with the rigidly joined side bars 3, and the bedstead is provided with usual casters 4. The posts of the headframe and of the foot-frame-preferably converge, as at 5, above these frames, to provide bearing supports for the patient-turner, invalid-turner, or rotatable frame, which. is thus conveniently elevated, and readily accessible, for surgical operations and for attentions to the patient. 1

The rotatable frame, which is of rectangular shapeandtubular construction comprises a pair of side rails 6, 6 and complementary end rails l, 1

and the frame is fashioned with longitudinally 2 extending trunnions 8, 8' at its opposite ends. The trunnion 8 at the foot of the bed is mounted in a U-bearing 9 rigidwith the converging posts of the foot-frame, and this trunnion or pivot pin may be locked against turning in its bearing by the use of a pin it passed transversely through the U-bearing and the trunnion, both members. being perforated for the reception of the pin. When the pin is withdrawn, the frame may readily be rotated, and the withdrawal of the pin readily permits removal of the frame, when the opposite ends of theframe are also free for removal.

The trunnion 8 at the head of the bed is fashioned with an angular extension or shank H which is fitted in a complementary hub-socket of a worm-wheel I2, and the latter is journaled in bearings E3 of a housing 14 which forms a rigid cap for the converging posts 5, 5 of the head frame of the bed. Within the housing and above the worm-wheel is mounted a worm or screw bar 5 having a crank handle !6 exterior of the housing, and it will readily be apparent that the rotatable frame, when pin i0 is removed, may be turned by manipulating the crank it, and the meshing of the worm-teeth with the worm-wheel teeth will hold the rotated frame in adjusted position, in conjoint use with pin Iii.

I have illustrated three types of cross-slats, or rather three uses of two types of cross-slats, with the patient turner or frame, the cross-slats ll being flexible and fashioned of canvas or other similar material, and the cross slat [9 being nonflexible, or rigid, or resilient, as the case may be, and the cross slats l9 may be fashioned of resilient steel plates or of rigid steel plates.

The flexible straps ll may be underslung with relation to the frame, as in Figure 8, or over-hung with relation to the frame as indicated in Figure 9, but in both instances the cross slats are fastened to the side rails 6 of the frame by buckled straps 18 or similar detachable fastenings, pro vided at the opposite ends of the cross slats.

The rigid or resilient cross slats, l9, as indicated in Figure [0 are preferably overhung with relation to the frame, and these metal plates are fashioned with end hooks 20 that are detachably fastened on special mounts or mounting devices which are adjustable on the respective parallel side rails 6,6 of the frame.

As best seen in Figure 1, each of the side rails 6 is provided with a longitudinally extending series of spaced holes 2| that extend horizontally and transversely through the tubular rails, and these holes are employed in mounting on the side rails a pair of anchoring arch-bars 22 of semi-rigid or resilient metal, which arch bars extend longitudinaly of the rails.

At each end of each arch-bar is carried a perforated fastening yoke 23 of U-shape, which straddles the side rail of the frame for support of the arch-bar. These yokes have holes or perforations that will register with the holes 2| of the side rails, and pins 24 are passed through the perforated yokes and rails to hold the yokes in adjusted position.

Each yoke is fashioned with a pair of upright, perforated, cars 25 in which are mounted bolts 26, and as best seen in Figure 6, the metal arch-bars 22, at their ends are curled inwardly to form sleeves 21 that encircle these bolts and firmly support the arch bars above and between the supporting yokes.

As indicated in Figure 1 the curvature of these arch-bars may be changed to raise, or to lower; the bars, and these bars thus become adjustable anchors for the opposite ends of the cross slats. Either one, or both, of the end-yokes of an archbar may be adjusted along the rail 6, toward or from the foot of the bed, or toward and from the head of the bed. By adjusting the distance between the yokes of each pair, the vertical position, or height of the arch bars is varied, and accordingly the vertical position of the anchored cross-slats, which are mounted on the arch-bars, is varied. These variations-in the curvature of the arch-bars are carried to the cross-slats anchored thereon, and it will readily be apparent that cross-slats may thus be adjusted to fit curvatures of the body of the patient.

By use of the overhung cross-slats in Figures 9 and 10 the portion of the patients body supported thereby may be elevated above another portion of the body that is supported by the underslung cross-slat of Figure 8, in order to facilitate sur gical operations, or nursing attentions, and also for convenience and relief of the patient.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an invalid bed having head and foot frames, the combination with a rotatable and removable patient-turner-frame having an end trunnion, of a bearing in the foot frame for said trunnion and detachable means for preventing rotary movement of the trunnion in its bearing, a housing forming a cap on the head-frame, a worm-wheel journaled in the housing and having an angular hub-socket, a second trunnion on the patient-turner-frame slidably fitted in said socket, a worm journaled in the housing for co-action with the worm-Wheel, and a crank for turning the worm.

2. In an invalid bed having head and foot frames, the combination with a patient-turnerframe having an end trunnion, of a U-shaped bearing on the foot-frame, a removable pin engaging holes in said bearing and trunnion, a bearing-housing mounted on the head frame, a wormwheel having an angular hub-socket and mounted in the housing, a second trunnion rigid with the patient-turner-frame and slidably fitted in said socket, a worm journaled in the housing for (:0- action with the worm-wheel, and a crank for turning the worm.

' JOHN G. CUNNINGHAM. 

